Overview & Reviews

At the dawn of the automobile, Oldsmobile was there. Owned by General Motors, Oldsmobile was the most senior domestic marque and one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, with a run that spanned some 107 years.

Ransom E. Olds was born in Ohio, but moved to Lansing, Michigan, to work in his father's machine shop. His experiences there helped whet his appetite for all things automotive, and he soon garnered enough expertise to develop a gasoline-powered vehicle. Joining forces with other partners, Olds cofounded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897. By the early 1900s, the company had introduced the nation to upscale models like the Curved Dash and had risen to become the best-selling car company in the United States.

Ransom Olds eventually left the company and it was sold to General Motors in 1908, where it became known as the Oldsmobile Division. More than ever, Oldsmobile became the brand of choice for car buyers seeking vehicles steeped in luxury and sophistication. Early models like the 1915 Model 42 Touring Roadster offered sleek lines and style aplenty. The 1918 Model 37 was its first model to offer a closed top, ensuring that the brand's well-heeled buyers had protection from the elements.

Oldsmobile had another hit in the 1920s with the Model 46, a V8-powered touring car that seated seven. The manufacturer did its part to make sure that the decade's elegance wasn't lost on its automobiles. It introduced fancy chrome-plated trim that served to raise the glamour quotient of its already eye-catching vehicles.

The '30s was a decade of innovation for the brand. The company wooed customers with its "Knee-Action" independent front suspension, an affordably priced option that served to improve ride quality. The company also offered one of the earliest automatic transmissions, freeing drivers from the rigors of the clutch with its four-speed "Hydra-matic" system.

Postwar, Oldsmobile gave consumers the Rocket 88. The car offered new levels of performance, giving the North American market its first taste of the short-stroke, overhead-valve V8. The car was adored by enthusiasts, and was chosen to serve as the pace car for the 1949 Indy 500.

The 1950s saw Olds continuing to distinguish itself as a purveyor of fine performance machines. With a name inspired by the Lockheed Starfire fighter plane, its 1953 Starfire show car offered a fiberglass body, a stylishly low beltline and most importantly, a 200-horsepower engine. The car was one of the first to display a wraparound windshield, and in the years following, many other manufacturers adopted this styling cue.

Oldsmobile's innovations continued into the 1960s. The manufacturer was the first since the 1930s Cord to taste success with a front-wheel-drive vehicle, in the form of its sporty Toronado. The '70s saw Olds breaking new ground in the area of safety. In 1974, it introduced a Toronado equipped with a driver-side airbag; Olds was the first domestic automaker to offer this feature. Around this time, the company's Cutlass had also become one of America's favorite cars.

Less successful was the company's effort to get on board with diesel technology. In 1978, Oldsmobile introduced a 5.7-liter V8 diesel engine as a response to that decade's fuel crisis; the engine was meant to appeal to buyers desperate to save money at the pump. Rising diesel prices and the unreliability of the engines caused the program to suffer, and Oldsmobile was eventually forced to terminate its efforts on this front.

In the '80s, Oldsmobile left its competitors in the dust when its Aerotech — piloted by noted racecar driver A.J. Foyt — set a closed-course world speed record of 257 mph. The company continued to have a huge hit with its Cutlass; the model spent much of the decade atop the sales charts.

The '90s saw Oldsmobile's introduction of Guidestar, the first onboard navigation system combining mapping and satellite positioning. The company made history yet again when its race-modified Aurora V8 won the Indy 500, making Olds the first manufacturer to pace and win the race in the same year.

By the dawn of the new millennium, Oldsmobile's sales were in a rut. The brand's identity had suffered over the years due to parts-sharing and rebadging within the GM camp. GM ultimately decided to pull the plug, and the last Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line in model-year 2004.

User Reviews:

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  Awful Car - couldnt sell it fast enough - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By az66bug - February 15 - 6:09 am

  Last GM car I will ever buy, was a loyal GM fan until this piece of crap. These cars were around $40K new and 7 years old and could barely get $4500 with 96,000 miles on it - although Id probably would have gave it away as much as I hated it. The 4.0 v8 always leaked oil - the oil pan gasket at $1500 a pop to replace; replaced water pump twice, struts were going, power steering leaked, sunroof broke and countless other problems. The only good thing Id say is that it was comfortable and some what stylish design. Unless you get this car for free, Id stay far way from this car, it will suck every penny out of you. To those with a great experience with this car - congrats and lucky you.

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  Fantastic Van - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Priano Family - February 13 - 12:10 pm

  I sell new Chevrolets, but am on a used vehicle budget, so when it was time to get a vehicle, after having driven a new Chevy Uplander for the summer, I decided an Oldsmobile Silhouette was the perfect vehicle to go with. Its comfort features like memory seats and dual-zone front A/C coupled with 16" chrome wheels, fog lights (hey, a minivan CAN look cool), heated leather seats, DVD w/wireless headphones, 6-disc CD changer make the Silhouette Premiere a fantastic choice. I wanted another SUV, but you just cant beat the fuel mileage, passenger/cargo space (room for 7 including a lot of cargo room), amazing ride comfort and carlike handling. Overall this is a very impressive van!

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  fun but not reliable - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By a - February 10 - 5:20 am

  Nice ride, very quick 6 cyl, got new rack and pinion, bad starting noise and hesitation, new power steering pump, new e-brake, new speakers and ignition parts many times. Very good sounding speakers. New alternator. New head gasket. No more american for me. Dont look in the future to see Aleros go 200k miles.

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  I Heart My Olds - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By zack24566 - February 7 - 6:43 am

  I love my 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue. I was looking for a good car to take to college (Im a senior in high school) and I believe that I have found a good quality car. Its fun to drive, gets great gas mileage (even with the 3.5L Twin Cam V6), and is the most comfortable car that I or any of my friends have ever ridden in. This car, in my opinion, is one of the best used cars out there. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone who likes to ride around in style, but not sacrifice reliability or fuel economy.

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  dress her up AND take her out!!! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By swede1978 - February 5 - 2:00 am

  Always had a pick up truck, one day saw the Alero on a lot.... went home with it, never looked back. Has the "moxy" i like on the highway and handles tight like a tiger. OH YEAH- nice fuel economy too, real relief when at the pumps, especially compared to a pick up truck @16MPG or less and Alero @ 34+hiwayMPG! Has plenty of room for stuffs in the trunk with folding rear seats. Ive convinced 3 of my friends to get one and my Mom too. Excellent sound sys as well that appeases the music connoisseur.

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  WOW! I Love This truck! - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Lizziebaby2k - February 4 - 4:20 pm

  I had to literally "break down" and buy another vehicle after my Blazer held up a Do Not Resuscitate sign after 14 years! I was offered SUCH a good deal on this Bravada I couldnt pass it up. Im SO glad I didnt! This is a beautiful vehicle inside and out. I am the second owner and it had 80,000 miles on it when I bought it. I have put 40,000 miles on it myself in one year and have only had minor issues. The rear wiper motor went about a week after I got it but the dealer was awesome and replaced it at no cost. The AC needs to be charged but that is to be expected. I did have to replace a headlight (VERY easy switch there!) and the right front wheel bearing but that is the only major issue I have had.

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  better than ford, plymouth, dodge - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Denny_J - February 3 - 10:00 am

  What can I say..my Olds has outperformed all other minivans easily. I have owned a windstar, grand caravan and grand voyager for my company vehicles, and none of them handle, ride or are as comfortable for the passengers as my Olds Silhouette Premiere. Gas mileage is great, and the interior is very quiet on the highway. Ive never had it in the shop other than for new tires, new brakes and oil changes. so regular maintenace pretty much. I would highly reccomend this van to anyone looking for a roomie van set apart from the rest. Denny

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  Glad I bought the Extended Warranty - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bill - January 29 - 4:40 am

  I bought this car with 12K miles on it. Came off of a fleet lease. No problems the first year. In the 2nd year had to replace right front wheel bearing, 6 months later the left front wheel bearing 35k miles on it. At 55K had to replace the fuel pump and some additional parts associated with the fuel system. At 74k had to repair and replace many parts of the air conditioning system. Good thing I had the extended warranty total repairs come to $4800. This car is a glorified Grand Am. Will not consider another GM vehicle after this car experience. Hello Honda/Toyota.

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  unassuming, suprisingly fast, dependable - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By mmtphoto - January 28 - 1:20 am

  This is the lighter, quicker version of the Aurora (I have a 2001) and it is a great, dependable car. We have had very few problems-crank sensor, water leak on passenger side front that caused a problem with blower, all in all an easy fix. The aluminum v6 is simply outstanding, and so it the trans- I get 17/18 city and 24/25 highway, and even though this is the stripped down version, it has a good sound system with CD/cassette player and good AC system. It has a power driver seat, power mirrors, windows & locks. I installed remote door/trunk opener, and fog lamps, drilled/slotted rotors-I consider this a poor mans 535 BMW-and it is much quicker. It is full of surprises.

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  2003 Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By GrammaB - January 27 - 4:26 pm

  I bought this Alero from a dealership as a used vehicle with 11,000 miles on it. The fuel pump died at 58,000 miles, and the brakes had to be replaced once. All other expenses were my fault. This has been a great car. Gas mph averages about 24-26 mph, a bit more on highway. It has about 66,000 miles on it now. Sure am sorry GM discontinued Oldsmobiles! I am trading for a Chevy Malibu, hope I am not disappointed.